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From
time to time, I am asked to cover other nutritional disorders as they
affect other species of animals. With this in mind, I would like to
cover a nutritional disorder in horses that is much more prevalent than
you might think.
While
horse numbers continue to increase at a rapid pace, it becomes that much
more important to look at nutritional concerns that will affect the
overall performance of the animal. Few health problems have the
potential to affect the horse the way that lameness can.
All
types of horses are susceptible to lameness, and sooner or later, most
horses are affected by it. Several studies conducted through
universities have determined that lameness is the most common health
problem, and the most common cause of training failure and lost
performance. USDA Research has indicated that up to 50% of all horses
will be affected by some type of lameness this year. With these facts in
mind, let’s look at one of the leading causes of lameness in horses.
Laminitis
is a leading cause of lameness in horses. Laminitis is inflammation and
degradation of the soft tissue called lamina that attaches the bone to
the hoof wall. In horses with laminitis, the attachment of the hoof wall
to the coffin bone is compromised and rotation or sinking of the coffin
bone within the hoof capsule can occur. Affected horses are usually
reluctant to move and resist attempts to lift their feet.
The
condition is usually worse in the front feet, resulting in a peculiar
stance. Horses lean back to transfer weight off the front feet and onto
the hind feet. The feet are typically warm and have bounding digital
pulses. Severe or chronic cases may have a poor prognosis for recovery.
Many
seemingly unrelated causes can give rise to laminitis. To date, no one
has pinpointed the precise mechanism by which specific health factors
generate the conditions that cause separation and degeneration of the
laminae. Causal factors of laminitis include the following possible
answers: excess of carbohydrates through grain or lush pastures;
excessive weight; gastrointestinal problems such as enteritis, colitis,
metritis, and pneumonia; prolonged transportation; excessive work on
hard surfaces; insulin resistance; hypothyroidism and Cushing’s
syndrome.
Excess
carbohydrates are the factor most related to your nutritional program in
the diagnosis of laminitis. USDA research states that excess
carbohydrates through grain and lush pastures are the cause of over 52%
of lameness seen in horses. Carbohydrates include sugars, starches,
pectins and cellulose. The product of carbohydrate digestion is mainly
glucose, which is absorbed into the bloodstream resulting in an initial
rise in blood glucose levels. This triggers the release of insulin.
Insulin
facilitates the transport of glucose from the blood into the body cells.
Having these sugars and starches digested in the small intestine is most
desirable, while an excess of these sugars and starches through lush
pastures and/or an overload of grain can lead to the large intestines
causing such disorders as laminitis. Thus, healthy horses need calories,
sugars, and starches that are digested in the small intestine and does
not by-pass to be processed in the large intestines. Horses that develop
certain metabolic disorders such as laminitis, insulin resistance,
Cushing’s disease, and EPSM will therefore require a low sugar/starch
diet to reduce the affects of the disorder through improper digestion of
these sugars and starches.
Treatment
for laminitis starts with prevention. If you own a horse that is
susceptible to lameness, control excess to lush pastures and feed a high
quality nutritional feed that is low in starches and sugars. There are
several commercial feeds available including Tiz Wiz Structure that can
be purchased through your local Quality Co-op store.
If
you believe that your horse has been exposed to a risk factor (e.g.
carbohydrate overload), treatment should begin immediately. Encourage
the horse to lie down to relieve pressure, impose dietary restrictions
to prevent overeating, stable the horse on soft ground, open and drain
any abscesses that may develop, cooperate with your farrier in
corrective shoeing practices, and, in severe cases, contact your
veterinarian for medical procedures. If you suspect that your horse has
laminitis, contact your veterinarian for proper diagnosis through the
use of radiographs. This procedure will allow you the ability to study
the blood flow to the hoof. You should also work very closely with your
farrier and make sure that they have proper experience and knowledge in
treating such horses. If your farrier makes a mistake, the consequences
could be very long term.
While
horses are unique individuals that respond differently to feeding
programs, you should be aware that the chance of your horse developing
lameness in their lifetime is very high. Having the knowledge to develop
a protocol when this occurs will allow you to maintain the soundness of
the animal and to be able to use the horse for the specific purpose that
it was purchased.
If
you have any questions related to this article or any questions related
to nutrition in general, please feel free to contact me at jimmyh@
alafarm.com.
Jimmy
Hughes is AFC’s animal nutritionist. |
